LAIDLAW-APTE PINE FOREST RESERVE

Laidlaw Williams was an avid “birder” and respected ornithologist who was a very active member of the Monterey Peninsula Chapter of the Audubon Society. He, along with his wife Abbie, lived in the Carmel Highlands as long-time residents, staunch conservationists, and defenders of nature. They lived on 5 beautiful pine covered acres that were home to many birds and other forest animals. To help attract birds, and provide regular study, Laidlaw built bird-boxes throughout the woods that are there today.

In an unfortunate twist of fate, Laidlaw was tragically killed in an automobile accident in 1976 and Abbie decided to leave to the District, as a lasting memorial, the land they shared with their wildlife friends. In 1977 the 3¾-acre Laidlaw Woods was conveyed to, and accepted by, the District to be kept as an open space preserve - primarily for botanical and biological study.

In 1995, a 1 acre vacant lot neighboring Laidlaw Woods was offered to the District by Robert and Evelyn Apte. They too wanted to help preserve the Monterey pine forest as conservationists like the Williams had. With this new addition, the District renamed the combined open space the Laidlaw-Apte Pine Forest Preserve.

Today the Laidlaw-Apte Pine Forest Preserve protects not only habitat for wildlife but a stand of native Monterey pines that are threatened in the Greater Monterey Peninsula with devastating losses from pine pitch cancer disease.

This pine forest preserve will be held and maintained in its natural condition in perpetuity: no buildings, roads, parking areas, or other structures will ever be built on this land. It will remain as habitat for birds, animals, insects and the forces of nature. Botanical and biological studies will be permitted by the District if the research is associated with an educational institution or official government project.